All you need to know about where the April total solar eclipse will be visible.
There’s a total solar eclipse coming to North America on April 8 2024, and it will be visible in Canada, the USA and Mexico, but if you’re wondering exactly who will get to see what, and when, this guide is for you.
Most of North America will be able to see partial phases of the April 8 solar eclipse (much of Alaska being the exception).
However, only those in the narrow ‘path of totality’ get to see all the wonderful phenomena associated with a total solar eclipse.
Getting close to this path will increase the percentage of solar eclipse you’ll see, but this is nothing like the majesty of a full total.
April 8 eclipse path of totality
The path of totality for the April 8 eclipse has an average width of 185km and is around 16,000km long, though only 5,500km of that passes over land across North America.
The total eclipse starts over the Pacific, the Moon’s shadow racing northeast to make landfall just south of Mazatlán in Mexico at 11:07 MST (18:07 UTC).
From there it tracks northeast to the point of greatest eclipse near the town of Nazas, where four minutes and 28.13 seconds of totality can be seen.
It passes into the US just north of Piedras Negras in Mexico.
It arcs gently northeast, passing through 13 states (14 if you count a tiny bit of northwest Tennessee) up through Maine before clipping the extreme eastern corner of Canada.
Weather predictions for the solar eclipse
The best weather for the April 8 eclipse is predicted for Mexico, with Texas having the best projected weather in the USA.
Warm ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific (El Niño) are expected to further improve Texan weather.
The worst weather for the April 8 eclipse is expected in the northern states and Canada.
Did you know that the eclipse will be visible from the UK?
A sunset partial eclipse requiring the use of a solar filter can be seen from western locations in the UK.
Getting a clear view of the low-altitude Sun near the horizon can be challenging, so keep an eye on the weather and be prepared to travel.
Find more about the UK’s view of the April 8 eclipse.
Are you travelling to see the eclipse? Let us know how you get on by emailing contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com, and be sure to share your pics with us!